Search form

Transportation Priorities: Union Station, HOV Lanes on 36, and More

Over the next three years, nearly $21 million will flow into Colorado to fund mass transit projects, as well as roads and bridges. But the source of the cash is controversial: higher vehicle-registration fees, which Republicans vowed to repeal while on the campaign trail before winning control of the state House. But earlier this month, The Denver Post pointed out that the tone of some GOP leaders on the matter of repealing the act known as FASTER, or Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery, had softened. "Unless we get our friends in the Senate and the governor to sign off on [repeal]," it won't happen, says incoming house Speaker Frank McNulty, of the majority Senate Dems and Governor-elect John Hickenlooper.

Knowing that, state transportation officials and Governor Bill Ritter announced yesterday that additional fees will go toward projects involving renovations to Denver Union Station, the construction of a regional bus transfer center in Loveland, and many others, writes the Denver Business Journal. Efforts to extend HOV lanes along U.S. 36 in Broomfield are also on the table, reports the Broomfield Enterprise.

In all, about 30 projects have been identified through 2012 around the state—from a pedestrian bridge at RTD's Alameda light-rail station to efforts in Colorado Springs (via the Post). A full list of projects can be viewed here.